Simin Dadras, Contributor

Only if she swims
She needs the water to heal
her beautiful fins
The scales; they glitter, they shimmer
She sings
To the sailors
Who don’t cherish her heart
All they want is to win, they don’t care for her love.
When she lets you enter
the sea she calls home:
Touch her,
Kiss her,
Don’t leave her alone.
With two long braids
She pulls you in close,
And says,
    “I see you.”
    I know you hide from the moon and the tides.
    I know about the lies you keep inside.
    I know my truth would set you free,
    If only you let me.


She tells you,
“It’s better to look than to touch.”
That water drowns and fire burns
    But fire births and water holds
    it doesn’t have to hurt.
Pain and Love
    They are one
        Speak the language
            Of my heart.